Eric Roberts

(1915? - 1983, UK)

Eric Roberts was born into a circus family. He drew his first jokes and cartoons in the 1930s for weeklies like Tit-Bits and Answers. In 1937 he appeared in D.C. Thomson's The Dandy Comic with 'Podge'. This strip was followed by 'Helpful Henry', 'Rip Van Winkle' and 'Good King Cole' in The Beano.

One of his best known creations was 'Mike', whose adventures appeared in Knockout by Amalgamated Press. After World War II, Roberts' work appeared in several shortlived titles, including The Challenger Comic ('Mr. Mutt'), Mirth ('Helpful Harry') and Full-o-Fun ('Willie Watch').

He also kept drawing for The Dandy, creating series like 'Smudge', 'The Wee Black Scallywag', 'Ginger's Super Jeep', 'Rip Snorter' and, most notably, 'Dirty Dick' and 'Winker Watson', starting in 1960-61. He was also present in AP's Knockout ('Sinbad Simms') and Film Fun ('Niblo Nibbs'). He also drew the 'Billy Bunter' strip for a short time, following the death of Frank Minnitt. Eric Roberts retired in 1980 and passed away three years later.